SCMGS Education

Our goal is to provide and help educate all in the art of lapidary and collecting stones

We do this in many ways:

a monthly newsletter to members and affiliates; opening our rock shop to the public presentations and hands on activities at our monthly meetings and annual show in-school presentations and donations of related educational material; scholarships to local area students.

A primary source of funding for educational activities is the "Pick Your Prize" at the annual SCMGS gem and mineral show. Pick Your Prize typically has one grand prize choice and several other prize packages. Participants purchase tickets, which they place into boxes corresponding to a particular prize they wish to win. The grand prize is usually a choice between two large display specimens, typically an Amethyst or Citrine Cathedral and a large fossil display.

Examples of other prize packages, each offered as a whole set, are:

Gold Country Get Away: lodging, meals and slot-play certificates at Black Oak Casino, along with other Black Oak Casino gifts;
Santa Cruz Fun Pack: Santa Cruz Boardwalk ride certificates, Roaring Camp Gift Certificates, Seymour Center at Long Marine Labs Certificates;
Mineral Package: a collection of high end minerals from around the world;
Jewelry Package: a collection of high end hand made jewelry, beads and pearls;
Rockhound Field Trip starter kit: rock pick, collecting bag, goggles, spray bottle and other goodies for the starting rockhound;
Adult's night out package: Wine, wine tote, Santa Cruz Symphony tickets and dining gift card.

These packages are items the Society purchases wholesale, and donations from members, show vendors, and other agencies and companies. We would like to thank our many donors and highlight a few with links below.

Back Oak Casino (www.blackoakcasino.com)

Santa Cruz Symphony (www.santacruzsymphony.org)

Seymour Center at Long Marine Labs (seymourcenter.ucsc.edu)

Roaring Camp in Felton (www.roaringcamp.com).